Stun Guns - Frequently Asked Question’s

We receive this question often from misinformed customers who have read false or inaccurate information on websites that are only in the business of selling products at any cost.

One of our core values is to provide accurate and honest information, therefore, based on our research the following information from the Ohio State Physics department article " Electrical Safety: The Fatal Current" explains the correct effects of electrical currect (amps) on the human body.

"It's The Current That Kills

Offhand it would seem that a shock of 10,000 volts would be more deadly than 100 volts. But this is not so! Individuals have been electrocuted by appliances using ordinary house currents of 110 volts and by electrical apparatus in industry using as little as 42 volts direct current. The real measure of shock's intensity lies in the amount of current (amperes) forced though the body, and not the voltage. Any electrical device used on a house wiring circuit can, under certain conditions, transmit a fatal current.

While any amount of current over 10 milliamps (0.01 amp) is capable of producing painful to severe shock, currents between 100 and 200 mA (0.1 to 0.2 amp) are lethal. Currents above 200 milliamps (0.2 amp), while producing severe burns and unconsciousness, do not usually cause death if the victim is given immediate attention. Resuscitation, consisting of artificial respiration, will usually revive the victim.

From a practical viewpoint, after a person is knocked out by an electrical shock it is impossible to tell how much current has passed through the vital organs of his body. Artificial respiration must be applied immediately if breathing has stopped.

The Physiological Effects of Electric Shock

The chart shows the physiological effects of various currents. Note that voltage is not a consideration. Although it takes voltage to make current flow, the amount of shock-current will vary, depending on the body resistance between the points of contact.

As shown in the chart, shock is relatively more severe as the current rises. For currents above 10 milliamps (.01 amps), muscular contractions are so strong that the victim cannot let go of the wire that is shocking him. At values as low as 20 milliamps(.02 amps), breathing becomes labored, finally ceasing completely even at values below 75 milliamps (.075 amps).
As the current approaches 100 milliamps (.1 amps), ventricular fibrillation of the heart occurs - an uncoordinated twitching of the walls of the heart's ventricles which results in death.

Above 200 milliamps(.2 amps), the muscular contractions are so severe that the heart is forcibly clamped during the shock. This clamping protects the heart from going into ventricular fibrillation, and the victim's chances for survival are good.

Danger - Low Voltage

It is common knowledge that victims of high-voltage shock usually respond to artificial respiration more readily that the victims of low-voltage shock. The reason may be the merciful clamping of the heart, owing to the high current densities associated with high voltages. However, lest these details be misinterpreted, the only reasonable conclusion that can be drawn is that 75 volts are just as lethal as 750 volts.

The actual resistance of the body varies depending upon the points of contact and the skin condition (moist or dry). Between the ears, for example, the internal resistance (less the skin resistance) is only 100 ohms, while from hand to foot is closer to 500 ohms. The skin resistance may vary from 1000 ohms for wet skin to over 500,000 ohms for dry skin.

The stun gun is intended to key into the nervous system. It inserts its energy into the muscles at a high pulse rate that makes the muscles contract very rapidly, but not very efficiently. This rapid work cycle depletes blood sugar by converting it into lactic acid all in just seconds. The resulting energy loss makes it tough to move and function. At the same time, the tiny neurological impulses that travel throughout the body to direct muscle movement are interrupted. This causes disorientation and loss of balance, leaving the attacker in a submissive and confused condition for several minutes. Still there is no significant effect on the heart and other organs. 1 second contact - will repel and startle the attacker, giving intense pain and muscle contraction.1 to 2 seconds - will cause intense pain, muscle spasms and a dazed mental state, this may drop the attacker to the ground. 3 or more seconds - will cause intense pain, loss of balance, loss of muscle control, mental confusion and disorientation. Generally any charge over three seconds will cause the aggressor to fall to the ground. The aggressor will be unable to recover for several minutes and effects may last for 10 to 15 minutes.

Q: Will a stun gun work on those under the influence of stimulants?

Yes! Stun guns do indeed work even on those under the power of alcohol or narcotics.

Q: If the aggressor is touching me will I be zapped?

No! Even if the aggressor is physically touching you when you fire the stun gun into them you cannot suffer from a charge back!

Q: Will a stun gun work through clothing?

Absolutely! Stun guns are designed to be 100% effective even through typical clothing.

Q: Can a stun gun be fired multiple times?

Yes. With a fresh charge a stun gun can be fired many, many times. This makes a stun gun an excellent choice for defending yourself against multiple assailants

Q: Are stun guns safe to use?

Both medical and scientific groups have determined that stun guns are completely safe because they cause no permanent damage to the attacker. In fact, they have no effect on involuntary muscles such as the heart and lungs. Stun Guns will not permanently harm someone with a pacemaker.

Q: What if a child gets their hands on it?

A Stun Gun is much safer to have in your home than a gun. If the device is touched to the body and the button depressed, the muscles go limp in one millisecond (1/1000ths of a second), so that the button is instantly released. Nevertheless, we highly recommend that you take all necessary precautions to insure that it does not get into the hands of a child. Stun Guns are NOT TOYS, they are highly effective self-defense devices that should be taken seriously.